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Les Claypool and the Holy Mackerel Returns

A lot has changed since Les Claypool released his solo debut twelve years

ago, the highly experimental Les Claypool and the Holy Mackerel Presents Highball with the Devil. At the time Primus was Claypool’s primary
vehicle and his distinct bass style was more associated with alt-rock than
jam, so Holy Mackeral allowed the busy bassist to both prove his
proficiency on several instruments (drums, guitar) and play with the likes
of Charlie Hunter, Henry Rollins and former Primus drummer Jay Lane.
Claypool also took the project on the road, crafting a band that features
Adam Gates, Mark ‘Mirv’ Haggard and future Primus drummer Brain. Holy
Mackerel has performed occasionally since then, but has remained mostly
dormant in recent years.
On September 27, Claypool will revive the group for a performance in Los
Angeles’ State Historic Park as part of the We The People Festival.
Claypool will perform along with original Holy Mackeral members Gates
Haggard and Brain on a bill that also includes Shavo Odadjian (System of a
Down), Tom Morello and Z-Trip, among many others. As previously reported,
Claypool will ring in 2009 at San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House
with Zappa Plays Zappa and Tim Fite.